You may have heard about recent concerns surrounding foodborne illness and Cyclospora cayetanensis, a microscopic parasite that can contaminate food and water. Unlike many foodborne illnesses caused by bacteria, Cyclospora is a parasite that infects the intestines. It has been associated with fresh produce, including leafy greens, herbs, berries, and other fruits and vegetables that are often eaten raw.

One of the tricky things about Cyclospora is that symptoms usually don’t appear immediately. They often begin about one week after exposure, which can make it difficult to connect your symptoms to something you ate days earlier.

The most common symptom is frequent, watery diarrhea, but people may also experience stomach cramping, bloating, gas, nausea, loss of appetite, fatigue, and weight loss. Symptoms can sometimes improve and then return, and without treatment, the illness may last for several weeks.

Because Cyclospora is a parasitic infection, anyone experiencing persistent or severe symptoms should contact their medical provider for proper testing and treatment. Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine should not replace medical treatment for an active Cyclospora infection, but they may be helpful as supportive care for digestive discomfort and recovery after an illness.

Where Chinese Medicine Fits In

If your stomach is recovering from a bout of food poisoning or digestive upset, acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine may be used as supportive care to help address lingering symptoms such as:

• Nausea and digestive discomfort
• Bloating and cramping
• Poor appetite
• Fatigue and feeling depleted after an illness
• Getting digestion back on track

Chinese herbal medicine has long been used to support nausea, bloating, cramping, diarrhea, and other digestive complaints.

Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San, featuring Huo Xiang (common names: patchouli or Agastache), is traditionally used for digestive upset. Research indexed by the NIH has also examined Huo Xiang Zheng Qi for gastrointestinal conditions and nausea.

For digestive upset associated with a “damp-heat” pattern, Huang Lian Jie Du Tang contains herbs

Chinese herbal formulas can also be customized based on your individual symptoms rather than taking a one-size fits all approach.

A TCM Perspective: Cooked vs. Raw

In Chinese medicine, warm, cooked foods are traditionally considered easier on the digestive system than large amounts of cold or raw food. Cooking essentially begins the process of breaking food down before it reaches your stomach, which can be especially appealing when digestion already feels sensitive.

Interestingly, this traditional advice has a practical connection to the recent Cyclospora concerns. Cyclospora is a parasite associated with contaminated food and water, particularly fresh produce. While thoroughly rinsing produce is still

recommended, washing alone may not completely remove the parasite.

The FDA recommends cooking produce when possible, as Cyclospora cannot survive once food reaches at least 158°F (70°C).

So whether you’re looking at it through the lens of Chinese medicine or food safety, this may be a good time to incorporate more steamed, sautéed, roasted, or cooked vegetables into your meals.